Seduction and Surrender (The Billionaire's Temptation Series) (6 page)

His fingers splayed over her hipbone as he pulled her to him, catching the elusive scent of her perfume. “You’re right. It’s not part of our deal, though there’s nothing to stop us from enjoying ourselves. I want you, Emma. And when I want something, I’ll do whatever it takes to get my hands on it.”

“You see?” She gave him a smug smile. “Just like that, you’re back to being a bastard.”

With a shake of his head, he couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m a bastard because I find you attractive?”

“No. You’re a bastard because you think you can just take whatever you want. Just like that.”

Momentary anger flared in his chest. He wasn’t some spoilt little rich kid who grew up getting everything he wanted. In fact, it was the complete opposite. He’d had to claw his way to the top from that cramped and dingy apartment in Southie where he’d shared a bedroom with his two brothers. He’d been determined and had worked his ass off to get what he wanted, and when he had become successful, he’d done his damnedest to do right by the people around him and his community.

“That’s where you’d be mistaken—not that you care to find out the truth when you can cling to your fantasy of me being an evil bastard.” He wanted to pace, wanted to shake her until she came to her senses, wanted to kiss her until she could no longer push him away. His tone cooled noticeably. “Come on then. Might as well get you home. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to have to share the same air with such a bastard any longer than necessary.”

“Quinn…” She grabbed his hand when he started to walk away from her. “I’m sorry—I really am. I was out of line, and it’s not as though I didn’t kiss you back.”

He pinned her with a steely stare, though she didn’t look away. “Tell me, Emma. Do you actually mean any of that or are you only saying it because you’re worried about your restaurant?”

She let out a sigh and gave him a shrug. “If anything, I probably lashed out
because
I am so worried about my restaurant. Believe it or not, I’m not usually such a bitch.”

With his anger dissipating in the face of her honesty, he couldn’t resist teasing her, a smile upon his lips as he took her in. “Are you sure? Because you look like you’re pretty adept at busting people’s balls.”

“Maybe just a little.” And damn if that wasn’t the first genuine smile he’d gotten out of her since their elevator incident.

He took a risk and brushed her cheek, his pulse racing as he touched her. “Come on then. Let’s get out of here. Are you hungry?”

“Starving.”

Chapter Five

“Where are we going?” Emma couldn’t quite figure Quinn out. He seemed to be every bit the playboy bachelor his reputation made him out to be—right down to the fancy sports car—and yet, there was another part of him that seemed completely different from the brash and cocky jerk he’d built his tabloid reputation on. Every time she got ready to murder Quinn for being such a pushy ass, the sexy, helpful guy she’d first met in the elevator would show up to make her question her judgment.

She looked over at him as he maneuvered the sleek sports car along the coastline. He was handsome in a way few men were, somehow managing to look rugged yet refined, mixing bad boy with billionaire bachelor. Dark hair that looked like he’d been running his hands through it, a stubbled jaw, eyes so green and intelligent, and a mouth that was completely kissable.  It was a dangerous combination that left her far too vulnerable.

And damn, but the man knew how to kiss. Toe-curling, heart-pounding,
drag-me-to-your-bed
kisses that left her wanting to forget that she was mad at him for threatening her livelihood. It made her want to find out what else that mouth was capable of—and that was a huge problem. She couldn’t lose sight of what was at stake. There was too much on the line to let herself get lost in a fantasy. That wasn’t her world—nor would it ever be. And she’d worked too damn hard to let it all go to hell just because she couldn’t remember the last time she got laid.

“There’s a little place I like to go to. Just hope it’ll be up to your standards, Chef.” He gave her a sideways glance and a smile that reached his eyes and lit them from within.

“I like it when you call me that.” Though why she was telling him, she hadn’t a clue. At the very least, it reminded her of why she was there. Because when he was being nice? It was so easy to forget he was the enemy.

“Sweetheart…I’m happy to call you whatever you’d like as long as it’s my name on your lips when you come.” Damn if his words didn’t leave her at once furious and completely turned on, if she were being honest with herself.

“What is it with you? Why do you always have to go there?” She shook her head and shifted in her seat, though it did nothing but increase the heavy ache between her legs.

“I know what I like—and I know what I want.” He gave her a casual shrug as he pulled down a side road that continued to run along the ocean. “You can’t fault me for being honest with you. And I don’t lie, sweetheart—nor do I beat around the bush. Life’s too short.”

There was a pain in his voice that caught her off guard, though it left her wondering if she’d imagined it. His gaze was focused on the road ahead of them, his eyes dark in the dim light of the night.

“Well, I do appreciate the honesty.” It was something at least—and a big something at that, especially after finding her last boyfriend in bed with the barista from the café they’d frequented. “I’ve been lied to in the past by someone I trusted, and I can’t stand it. It makes me question everything that’s said to me, and I end up feeling like a fool afterwards for being stupid and naïve enough to believe the lies.”

“If anyone was a fool, it was the person who lied to you. I have no tolerance for lies and deceptions. I’m just sorry you had to go through that.” Quinn’s brow furrowed, and though his eyes were still on the road, his gaze was intense as he glanced over at her for just a moment and cupped her face. The fact that he’d gotten so angry on her behalf caught her off guard, especially when they barely knew each other. And when he reached over and twined his fingers with hers before bringing her hand to his lips, the gesture at once sexy and old-fashioned, she couldn’t help but like him just a little more.

She found it hard to ignore the way his touch made her feel, especially when he was being sweet. Squirming in her seat to ease some of the aching need he was eliciting in her traitorous body, she tried to remind herself that she was only on this date to save her restaurant. And it had nothing to do with his touch or his kisses.

She forced herself to focus, especially since it’d be too easy to let him get her worked up like he had on the beach. And who knew what she’d be liable to do if he got her all hot and bothered again. “I’m sure everyone’s been ruthlessly lied to at some point in their life. I can’t be the only one, right?”

“No… It’s unfortunate that it happens as often it does.” Quinn glanced in her direction, giving her hand a squeeze, his touch strong and warm. “That’s one thing I promise you, Emma. I’ll always be honest with you.”

“I appreciate it—and I’ll certainly do the same.” Emma wasn’t sure why, but it meant a lot that he’d given her that small token of respect. And once more, it had her wondering who the real Quinn Ryker was.

He maneuvered the car into the parking lot of an old-style greasy spoon, the wheels crunching on the crushed gravel. “I know it’s not much to look at, especially now that it’s dark out, but there’s a great view of the ocean, and the burgers can’t be beat.” He cupped the back of her neck and pulled her in for a quick kiss, and though she hesitated just a moment, she’d be damned if it didn’t leave her wanting more. “Come on, sweetheart. I’m starving.”

In more ways than one, no doubt.

While she tried to clear her head, he came around the car and got her door, offering her his hand to help her out of her seat. With her gaze on him, she felt her dress shift up her thighs, Quinn’s smile widening in response as she no doubt showed him a long expanse of leg and probably accidentally flashed him too, the way her night was going.

“You’ve got great legs, sweetheart.” He pulled her to her feet, her body brushing against his as he held her close and nuzzled her, his hands slipping to her waist and gripping her firmly. She felt caught, captured, and she swore the shiver of need that pulsed through her body made her feel more alive than she had in a very long time.

“Thanks.” Crap…he had her blushing like some school girl.

He was so tall, so muscular, and his grip was so strong. He overwhelmed her senses and left her desperate for more.

What the hell was she doing?

Enemy Number One—straight ahead.
Focus
. But with his clean, manly scent filling her head, all she could manage was a ragged breath as she leaned in towards him. He pressed her up against the side of his car, making it impossible to ignore his hard length. His lips found hers in a kiss that stoked her need for him and had her fisting his shirt in her hands, barely resisting the urge to wrap her legs around his waist.

Damn him to hell
.

She wanted to protest, but when he nipped at her neck, all she could manage was to roll her head to the side to give him easier access, and instead of curses, a needy moan escaped her lips. Just as she was getting ready to reach down and stroke him, he took her mouth in a sweetly lingering kiss, before pulling away, leaving her body reeling.

“Come on, kitten. There’ll be plenty of time for that later.” He knotted his fingers with hers and pulled her close to his body, possession in the gesture, though he disarmed her with a light kiss to her temple. Even as Emma’s brain told her she was playing right into the trap he’d set for her, her heart softened, yielding to the way he made her feel. “I’m starving and need to be fed.”

That must’ve been the understatement of the year, because the man finished off his double patty burger, all his onion rings, a handful of her fries, his strawberry shake, and was now looking for dessert. “So tell me, Lois, what would you recommend to finish up our meal?”

Their waitress, an older woman in her sixties, gave him a sly smile, their relationship clearly a familiar one, from what Emma had seen. “I don’t know why you insist on asking each and every time, when you always order the same exact thing.”

“Never know…the menu might suddenly change.” Quinn gave her a shoulder shrug and a smile that made him look far less like the ruthless and shrewd businessman she’d seen at work. “I suppose we’ll go with the usual then. And if you could bring two forks, I’d appreciate it.”

Lois leaned towards her as she turned to go. “Honey, you must be pretty special if he’s sharing his cheesecake with you.”

Emma managed a smile as Lois walked away, though curiosity got the better of her. “Do you come here often with your dates?”

He shook his head, looking rather serious. “Never. You’re the first.”

That didn’t make any sense. “So…why me?”

“Tell me—what did you think of your burger?” He sat back in the booth and crossed his arms in front of his chest so that the fabric of his shirt pulled tight, accentuating all those rock-hard muscles underneath.

That was an easy enough question to answer, given her profession. “It was fantastic—juicy with a nice crust from the hot flattop grill. Just the right amount of fat. The potato bun held up well to the weight of the patty but was still soft and didn’t distract from the flavors of the meat—which was perfectly seasoned, by the way. Classic condiments, and the homemade ketchup was a very nice touch, especially with the little kick of cayenne and smoky paprika.”

His lips curled up into a sexy smile as his green eyes sparkled—and damn if it didn’t make her breath catch. “
That’s
why I’ve never brought any of my other dates here. I knew you’d appreciate this place for what it was. Most of the women I’ve dated only care that a restaurant is trendy, expensive, and there are plenty of other people there so they’ll be seen with me and, with luck, make it into a tabloid or society paper. Beyond that, as long as there’s plenty of champagne, the food could be crap, and they’d never notice—or care for that matter, since they don’t tend to eat more than a few bites.”

She shook her head, trying to clear it. “I don’t get it. You don’t exactly sound thrilled with them, so why date that sort of woman?”

He shrugged. “It’s been easy. Convenient. I’m usually too busy to give any of it much thought or effort. And they’ve been happy.”

“So you get your needs met without having to try too hard. Right?”
Clearly
. Though it didn’t shock her, she was surprised to find that it did actually bother her.

“I’m not denying it, but…” He sighed before leaning forward just a little, closing the distance between them so she could see the flecks of blue and gold in his green eyes. “More and more I find those sorts of dates tedious. Hell, even the sex feels repetitive and uninspired—and it’s pretty bad when you can’t even get much enjoyment from getting laid.”

“Is that why I’m here? Because you’re bored with the women you normally date and want an inspired lay? Lovely.” It was impossible to keep the sarcasm from her voice.

“Why shouldn’t I want more? I’ve worked damn hard to establish myself and my business.” He ran a rough hand across his jaw and gave her a smile that had her breath catching and an ache starting up between her legs. “I can finally take a bit more time to focus on things other than work—and I like you. A lot. So if you have a problem with that—outside of the fact that you’re only here because of your restaurant—then I want to know where the hell you’re getting hung up so we can fix it.”

“It’s not that easy, Quinn.” What was he thinking?

“Why not? We’re already halfway there, since you’ll be joining me for whatever events I have planned for the foreseeable future.” He reached over and twined his fingers with hers. “I’m just asking for a little more.”

“You mean, you’re asking for what I explicitly said was off the table.” It figured. She knew it’d all come down to this.

“Say it.” He ran a lazy circle over the back of her hand with his thumb.